Winning Ticket In Record U.S. Lottery Draw

AAP

Mega Millions officials said a ticket purchased in South Carolina matches all six numbers in Tuesday night's draw.

The winning numbers were 5, 28, 62, 65, 70 and Mega Ball 5.

The lucky player overcame miserable odds. The chance of matching all six numbers and winning the top prize was one in 302.5 million.

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Mega Millions is played in 44 states as well as Washington, DC, and the US Virgin Islands.

It is likely to be days or even weeks before a winner steps forward to claim the prize.

Lottery officials and financial managers encourage people to take time to map out a strategy for investing their hundreds of millions of dollars, and winners must deal with security concerns befitting someone who suddenly is immensely wealthy.

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Depending on the state, winners have from 180 days to a year to claim their prize.

Although Tuesday's jackpot was extraordinarily large, it is no fluke. It reflects a trend towards ever-growing lottery prizes due to changes in the game that worsened the odds with hopes that bigger jackpots would result in better sales.